Beasley and Hansbrough: Players of the Year

While we typically frown upon ties or co-MVP, sometimes it is inevitable. This is one of those years, with Michael Beasley of Kansas State and Tyler Hansbrough of North Carolina each staking a claim for NCAA Men’s Basketball Player of the Year.

The case for Michael Beasley: Michael Beasley is having the best statistical year of any freshman EVER (26.5 points per game (3rd in the nation), 12.5 rebounds per game (1st in the nation), 53.7% from the field, 39.5% from 3-point range and a record 26 double-doubles (in 30 games)). Pretty amazing considering that we all thought Kevin Durant’s performance last year at Texas was unbelievable and unapproachable, at least for a few years. Beasley led his team to a 20-10 regular season and some impressive wins, including one over Kansas that broke a 24-year losing streak.

The case for Tyler Hansbrough: Psycho-T, as he is affectionately known, is averaging 23.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per game leading the 29-2 North Carolina Tar Heels to the number one national ranking. Hansbrough averaged over 30 points per game and led his team to a 5-1 record when his All-America point guard Ty Lawson went down with an injury. He is the leader of the best team in the country and never takes a night off.

Beasley’s individual numbers are unmatched but Hansbrough’s team has a better resume, though UNC is more talented and has a better coaching staff.

So how do you break the tie? Maybe you don’t. This is as good a year as any to have co-Players of the Year. Give them both their due recognition.